Road Trip

February 13, 2008 10:48 AM

I have a business trip to Oak Ridge, Tenn., coming up soon. Instead of flying, I think I want to drive.

It's a little more than 8 hours, and I love to drive. I would like to do some of the trip on Route 11 instead of I-81.

Any suggestions for interesting stops along the way? Anything in particular a must-see, must stop, or must eat? Or, should I fly to Knoxville, rent a car, and explore that area with my extra time?

posted by WyoWhy to travel & transportation (9 comments total)

To clarify, you're traveling from Washington D.C. to Oak Ridge, Tenn. right?
posted by burnmp3s at 10:51 AM on February 13, 2008

I was in Oak Ridge, in and around the Library there last year. I'd suggest finding something to see along the way. I've been to Knoxville a number of times and never really found much to do there. The libary was decent, and I got internet access without having to live there, but I think they charge to print. I was always a little wary about "exploring" around there, but hey, have fun if you decide to do that. I took a wrong turn just southwest of Knoxville and found myself on a wonderfully scenic road on a lower level than the highways around. But I did kind of feel like if my car broke down I would never be heard from again. But don't let that stop you.
posted by cashman at 11:00 AM on February 13, 2008

Yes. DC to Oak Ridge.
posted by WyoWhy at 11:25 AM on February 13, 2008

I've driven along 11 W from Knoxville to Bristol where my parents live. It's very scenic, much more so than the interstate. I can't think of specifics, but you'll go through a number of charming towns like Bean Station Surgoinsville. Morristown is a little stinky because of a papermill. I was planning to make this exact drive with my boyfriend earlier this year, but we got a late start and were driving in the dark. Take note that 11 W and 11E are two different roads that run parallel to each other, separated by 5- 10 miles.

One place in the vicinity of Oakridge/Knoxville worth checking out is historicRugby, TN. Wikipedia.

I may be biased, because I grew up there, but this is truly some of the most beautiful country in the US.
posted by kimdog at 12:30 PM on February 13, 2008

Just throwing out a lot of random stuff I'm familiar with from the I-81/Rt 11 corridor:

Paper Treasures Used Bookstore in New Market, Va - The link makes it sound like this gem might not be open anymore, which would be quite a shame. Funky, dusty, maze-like shop in the midst of the Shenandoah Valley.

Green Valley Book Fair south of Harrisonburg, VA - Only open a few weekends a year. Acres and acres of newish, remaindered books for super cheap, though the quality of the selection varies widely from week to week and fair to fair.

The Little Grill Collective in Harrisonburg, VA - Popular worker-owned local dive in an otherwise unremarkable college town. The Artful Dodger coffee shop is also nearby.

The Homeplace Restaurant in Catawba, VA - Hikers on the AT never miss the chance to stop in at this home cookin' mecca. One price, all you can eat, family-style southern sit-down fare. And if you're traveling alone, this would be a great place to sit down and eat with a table of nice folks.

Floyd, Va (entire town) - It's a little ways off Rt-11, but Floyd is probably the most interesting and unique town in the state of VA. Don't miss the Floyd Country Store and the Harvest Moon Foodstore. I also love Country Records, New Mountain Mercantile, and School House Fabrics. Not to mention the Blue Ridge Parkway, Mabry Mill, the nearby wineries, etc.

Natural Bridge Wax Museum & Factory in Natural Bridge, VA - For lovers of kitsch only. Everything around Natural Bridge still has a (creepy) 1950's roadside-America vibe, especially the cafeteria at the Visitor's Center. And don't even get me started about the Natural Bridge Zoo: the last time I was there, I wanted to free every animal from its inhumane, antiquated environment. There was an elephant with chains around its legs. Srsly.

--

IMO, most of Rt. 11 in western VA isn't very special or interesting, but maybe that's because I grew up along Rt. 11 and it all seems pretty much the same. It runs so close to I-81, it's not much of an improvement scenery-wise, and you just get slowed down every time you pass by a few fast-food restaurants outside of town.

A couple of scenic routes that are pretty and worth the map-reading:

The area west of Harrisonburg and Bridgewater, VA is Amish country, and quite lovely. Detouring off to Rt. 42 for a ways will give you some curvy roads and a chance to get caught behind an Amish buggy for several miles.

In Tennesse, get off I-81 at White Pine and drive along Douglas Lake to Dandridge (where you can pick up I-40). Only good in the daylight, but Douglas Lake was created by the TVA, and you can still see a few roads, silos and other remnants of flooded farms during the winter when the water level is low. Just get back on I-40 before Kodak, to avoid any traffic heading into Sevierville/Pigeon Forge/Gatlinburg.

Finally, I'm told that Lexington, VA and Abingdon, VA are also very charming small, historic Virginia towns, but I'm not familiar enough with them to make specific recommendations.
posted by junkbox at 12:36 PM on February 13, 2008

My father worked in Oak Ridge for about three years, so I went to visit him a few times a year. While I was there I more or less surmised that other than hiking/climbing mountains and foothills, you can go eat some of the most delicious soup of all time at The Soup Kitchen. Absolutely delicious soups, something like 33 different types a day?

Oh and I second the drive on the 11 - while at times you may feel like you're driving onto the set for Deliverance, it is an absolutely beautiful drive. Make sure you fill up your tank at the gas stations, because there are some stretches with nothing but you, the road, and Big Ole Bill up on the Hill.
posted by banannafish at 12:42 PM on February 13, 2008

I grew up driving up and down 81 to go and see family. I thought I knew the route pretty well in terms of scenery, but a couple summers ago, I drove Route 11 from 66 from D.C., and was just taken back by the difference in views. While I can't suggest much in specific stops, I do suggest just taking the drive and enjoying the small towns you pass through. Somewhere north of Lexington (not very helpful) there's a quaint covered bridge (signs on 11 for it) that's a quick and fun side trip to check out.

Lexington is a neat little town with a lot of one way streets. You can stop in there and check out the campuses of the Virginia Military Institute and Washington & Lee University. You can visit Robert E. Lee's burial spot in the Lee Chapel on the campus, then drive through town to the cemetery where Stonewall Jackson is buried. I lack the name, but my parents who lived there for a few years still insist on visiting a specific bakery in the town for their pastries.

Abingdon is a nice small town with a series of buildings/homes on 11 that date back to the late 18th century through the 19th and of course, the 20th. The Martha Washington Inn is one of the older buildings in town, having been built in the Antebellum period originally as a woman's college. Its just up the street from the Barter Theatre, which is the state theater of Virginia, and has had folks like Harry Truman visit it for performances.

Depending on your mood and time, you can drive through downtown Roanoke and check out the new art museum going up being built. It won't open until this fall, but its insanely modern and stylistic for a place like Roanoke.

Simply put, take the drive and just let your curiosity guide you. ;)
posted by Atreides at 5:11 PM on February 13, 2008

I grew up in Oak Ridge, and there is a place you MUST eat at-- it's called the Magic Wok. It's on the Oak Ridge Turnpike (if you're driving in Oak Ridge, you'll be on the turnpike in all likelyhood), and it's just past the hospital, near the Oak Ridge Playhouse. Ask any native, they can direct you-- it's very close to a retro-looking old gas-station. I'd give you a URL, but this place is a SHACK, there's no way they have a website.

To give you an idea, the food is: whatever dish she's making that day, incredibly cheap, incredibly good, I've been going there since I was two and she always remembers me. Tell her you're from out of town, the proprietress has got lots of lovely stories.
posted by WidgetAlley at 6:27 PM on February 13, 2008

One word- The Oak Ridge Boys.

Have a good drive, sounds like fun!

(I'm considering taking US 30 from Chicago to Wash DC one of these days. It'll take about a week and a half.)
posted by gjc at 9:04 PM on February 13, 2008